Whenever you crave something crispy and tangy to accompany your evening tea, raw banana chips serve as a fantastic treat. They can be prepared quite easily at home with minimal effort. The entire process begins with selecting medium-sized bananas that are completely raw and possess a deep green skin. Ripe or light yellow bananas tend to ruin the texture and taste of the chips. Choosing the right raw bananas enhances the flavor, natural color, and desired crispiness of the final snack, ensuring a delightful experience with every single bite.
After selecting the appropriate bananas, the next crucial step involves washing them thoroughly and peeling them with utmost care. Once the peel is removed, the bananas should not be left exposed in the open air for too long, as oxidation can discolor them. To prevent this, the peeled bananas must be immediately immersed in a bowl filled with cold water. Adding a little bit of salt to the water further enhances the overall taste. Keeping them submerged in water for a brief period maintains their structural integrity until you are ready to slice them. This simple yet effective step plays a significant role in preparation, preserving the rich color and delectable flavor.
According to Vidyavati Devi, slicing the bananas with a bit of mindfulness and precision can completely transform the outcome of the chips. It is best to cut the bananas into extremely thin, uniform round slices using a slicer or a sharp knife. All the slices should be kept approximately equal in thickness. Much thicker pieces will take a longer time to turn crispy, whereas thinner slices fry quickly and thoroughly. While cutting with a knife, one must exercise caution to protect their fingers and hands from any accidental cuts.
When it comes to frying, refined oil works exceptionally well. Pour an adequate amount of oil into a kadhai and heat it thoroughly, though overheating the oil should be strictly avoided. In excessively hot oil, the banana slices will quickly catch color on the outside without achieving the desired texture on the inside. Therefore, maintaining a medium flame is considered the ideal approach. Once the oil is properly heated, the banana slices should be gently dropped into it in small increments.
An important detail to keep in mind is avoiding the mistake of putting too many banana slices into the oil all at once. If the kadhai lacks adequate space, the pieces may stick to one another and fail to fry evenly. Hence, frying the chips in small batches is the recommended method. In the beginning, drop the slices gently into the oil and keep stirring them occasionally with a slotted spoon. Once the color of the chips begins to change, a crisp texture appears on the surface, and they turn golden, lower the flame to a moderate setting.
Pay close attention when the banana chips turn light golden and thoroughly crispy, as they need to be immediately removed and strained from the kadhai. Instead of piling them directly onto a regular plate, spread them out on tissue paper or an absorbent paper towel. This absorbs the excess oil, ensuring the chips do not feel too heavy when consumed. This is the ideal moment to infuse the true flavor. You can sprinkle salt, black pepper powder, or red chili powder on the chips according to your taste preferences. Adding a dash of chaat masala makes the flavor even more zesty and appetizing.
If you want to enjoy a distinct South Indian flavor profile in these chips, you can try an alternative technique. Keep some salt dissolved in a small amount of water ready, and gently sprinkle a tiny quantity of it over the chips while they are frying. This method brings a unique and wonderful variation to the taste. However, the combination of water and hot oil must be handled with extreme caution to avoid hot oil splatters. Therefore, keep the quantity minimal and work from a safe distance. The chips are now completely ready. Packing hot chips immediately into a sealed container can create moisture and reduce their crispness. Once they cool down completely, store them in a clean and airtight container. When stored properly, the chips retain their delightful flavor and crispiness for several days. Whenever you desire a spicy snack with your tea, homemade banana chips are simply unbeatable.
